Istrouma Baptist Church Ascension, April 19, 2026

Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Apr 19, 2026 ========== April 19 - Cultivate Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at [email protected]. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Cultivating a Life in the Spirit - Joy Galatians 5:16-25 ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭25‬‬ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 1. Abide in the Spirit. "Abide in me...and you will bear much fruit." John 15:5 Where in your life are you disconnected right now? 2. Deny yourself. Victory doesn't come from fighting harder… it comes from abiding deeper. 3. Rejoice in the Lord. "The fruit of the Spirit is...joy." Galatians 5:22 Joy doesn't point to a better life - it points to a better savior. TAKEAWAYS 1. Stay connected before you try to change 2. Surrender what competes with the Spirit 3. Measure growth by love, not effort 4. Trust the Spirit to produce what you can't